Attention all Steam Deck users: Valve is finally addressing a long-standing frustration—the inability to turn off the screen while downloading games. But here's where it gets exciting: Valve is now testing a low-power mode that lets your Steam Deck complete downloads with the screen off, saving energy and extending battery life. This update, currently available in the Beta and Preview channels, is a game-changer for those who’ve ever wished they didn’t have to leave their device running with a bright screen just to finish an update.
And this is the part most people miss: When The Verge first asked Valve about this feature two years ago during the Steam Deck OLED launch, the company seemed hesitant. Hardware engineer Yazan Aldehayyat pointed out that downloading consumes significant power, raising concerns about overheating if users mistakenly thought their Deck was asleep. Fast forward to today, and Valve’s new solution appears to tackle these issues head-on. With the update, pressing the power button during a download prompts a dialog asking if you want to continue downloading with the screen off. If you choose to proceed, your Deck enters a low-power mode, and you can check the download progress by pressing a button or moving the device.
But here’s the controversial part: While this feature is enabled by default when plugged in, using it on battery power requires manual activation—and if your battery drops below 20%, the Deck goes into full sleep mode. Is this a fair compromise, or should Valve allow uninterrupted low-power downloads regardless of battery level? Let’s spark a debate: Do you think this feature should be fully autonomous, or does Valve’s cautious approach make sense? Share your thoughts in the comments—we’d love to hear your take on this long-awaited update!
